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A.R.B.J Rajapaksha
A.R.B.J Rajapaksha
Jan 14 2026
36Enhance Sri Lanka’s Softpower
Important names in literature, arts, music, theatre and film converge, 13-15 February 2026
The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival returns for its highly anticipated third edition from 13 to 15 February 2026, planned as the ‘Festival on Beira’ at Cinnamon Lakeside. As the festival continues to evolve, it strengthens its position as a cultural platform, showcasing Sri Lanka's Softpower through the lens of literature, arts, music and film.
Following its two successful editions, Edition 3 of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival elevates its programming with an exceptional lineup of compelling literary voices. Bringing together 50+ speakers across 33+ sessions, this year's festival features headline international names alongside renowned Sri Lankan authors, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives that resonates both locally and globally.
Speaking of this year’s festival, Ajai Vir Singh, Director and Co-Founder of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival, stated: " Edition 3 is consistent with the main purpose of showcasing Sri Lanka’s Arts and Culture to enhance Sri Lankan Softpower in the world. It is important to increase Sri Lanka’s influence in the region through literature, arts, music, theatre and film as it serves the purpose of building confidence at home in the creativity we have and to showcase ‘why Sri Lanka’ to the world. HSBC has been the driving force behind making this a dynamic seat of interaction and engagement and enhancing Sri Lankan Softpower. I would also like to thank the John Keells Foundation for supporting and partnering with the Art Festival for the second consecutive year.”
Mark Surgenor, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka, stated "The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival showcases, here in Colombo, an incredible array of international authors and speakers while also showcasing and championing Sri Lankan talent on a global platform. This event is truly bringing the 'Best of the World' to Sri Lanka and taking the 'Best of Sri Lanka' to the world. By supporting arts and culture in this way, HSBC is not just supporting it, we're strengthening Sri Lanka's Softpower and building connections. As Sri Lanka’s leading international bank for over 130 years, and as we look to our next 130 years, this is core to our purpose.”
The festival's core mission remains steadfast: to nurture creative talent, reverse the brain drain, and create meaningful opportunities for Sri Lankans in the arts sector. By positioning Sri Lanka as a vibrant cultural destination, the festival continues to attract international attention, building confidence at home while highlighting the nation's creative momentum overseas.
This year, the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival expands its multidisciplinary reach with larger, and more curated, programming across all pillars. The Art Festival held in association with the John Keells Foundation, the CSR entity of the John Keells Group for the second successive year, is based this year on the theme of ‘The Resilient Isle’ and showcases visual creativity in compelling new ways. Featuring work of over 15 well-known artists from Sri Lanka, this year’s exhibition is layered and multifaceted. Artworks from the festival explores Sri Lanka’s contemporary story through resilience and the capacity to endure, adapt, and transform amid social, political, and environmental challenges.
The festival will also feature an immersive photo exhibit with “Nicolas Bouvier in Ceylon: 70 Years Later”. The exhibit will consist of a curated photo exhibition showcasing Bouvier’s rare photographs from the Fonds Bouvier / Musée de l’Elysée Lausanne supported by the Embassy of Switzerland.
The Performing Arts pillar of the festival encompasses music, theatre and film, bringing together international and local talent. The year includes a dynamic Jazz concert by the renowned Quintetto Denner from Italy supported by the Embassy of Italy. A first of its kind, intensive 10-day theatre workshop by the Emma Rice Company supported by the British Council would also be available during the festival.
The Children's Festival at the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival features a more curated program designed to inspire young minds and build creative skills through play. With over 15 plus curated workshops across three days, the Children’s festival includes a themed workshop for all ages.
At the core of the festival's mission remains a commitment to nurturing youth. In line with this, the festival will be accessible to all students with free student passes. In addition, a focused volunteer program gives young participants hands-on festival experience. This year’s festival also includes a ‘not to be missed’ youth focused art workshop by a renowned senior Sri Lankan artist.
The Future Writers program, a cornerstone initiative that has received overwhelming support since its inception, returns to open doors for aspiring writers and foster creative entrepreneurship, offering tangible pathways for the next generation of Sri Lankan storytellers. Notably, the first edition winner Savin Edirisinghe was recently awarded the prestigious 32nd Gratiaen Prize, becoming one of the youngest recipients of this celebrated award, further demonstrating the festival's commitment to fostering the next generation.
The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival serves as more than a celebration of creativity, it is a testament to Sri Lanka's resilience, cultural richness, and dynamic spirit. Edition 3 of the festival is set to take place from February 13 to 15, 2026. The festival is supported by a host of distinguished partners. HSBC, as the title partner, exemplifies its commitment to cultural innovation and global artistic exchange. The venue and hospitality partner, Cinnamon Lakeside. Key partners include the Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust, John Keells Foundation and Synamon Global for their continued support. Knowledge partner British Council for their support with the festival, along with Goethe-Institut. The Embassy of Italy in Colombo and Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives for their support with cultural collaborations. The festival is supported by Sarasavi, Acorn Group and Teardrop Hotels along with merchandise partner Arienti. The festival also receives invaluable support from Wijeya Newspapers, Daily FT, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Hi!! Online, Hi! Magazine, Hi! and Hardtalk.
For more information or to book festival passes visit www.ceylonliteraryfestival.com.
-ENDS-
Photo Captions, Left to Right:
The Head Table: Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of CSR , John Keells Group, Dushyantha Tittawella, General Manager, Cinnamon Lakeside, Orlando Edwards, Country Director, British Council Sri Lanka, Kamal Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Ajai Vir Singh, Director and Co-Founder of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival, Mark Surgenor, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka, Her Excellency, Dr. Siri Walt, Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka & Maldives, Embassy of Switzerland, Indhu Selvaratnam, Trustee, The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust, Alberto Arcidiacono, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy
Enhance Sri Lanka’s Softpower
Important names in literature, arts, music, theatre and film converge, 13-15 February 2026
The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival returns for its highly anticipated third edition from 13 to 15 February 2026, planned as the ‘Festival on Beira’ at Cinnamon Lakeside. As the festival continues to evolve, it strengthens its position as a cultural platform, showcasing Sri Lanka's Softpower through the lens of literature, arts, music and film.
Following its two successful editions, Edition 3 of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival elevates its programming with an exceptional lineup of compelling literary voices. Bringing together 50+ speakers across 33+ sessions, this year's festival features headline international names alongside renowned Sri Lankan authors, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives that resonates both locally and globally.
Speaking of this year’s festival, Ajai Vir Singh, Director and Co-Founder of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival, stated: " Edition 3 is consistent with the main purpose of showcasing Sri Lanka’s Arts and Culture to enhance Sri Lankan Softpower in the world. It is important to increase Sri Lanka’s influence in the region through literature, arts, music, theatre and film as it serves the purpose of building confidence at home in the creativity we have and to showcase ‘why Sri Lanka’ to the world. HSBC has been the driving force behind making this a dynamic seat of interaction and engagement and enhancing Sri Lankan Softpower. I would also like to thank the John Keells Foundation for supporting and partnering with the Art Festival for the second consecutive year.”
Mark Surgenor, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka, stated "The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival showcases, here in Colombo, an incredible array of international authors and speakers while also showcasing and championing Sri Lankan talent on a global platform. This event is truly bringing the 'Best of the World' to Sri Lanka and taking the 'Best of Sri Lanka' to the world. By supporting arts and culture in this way, HSBC is not just supporting it, we're strengthening Sri Lanka's Softpower and building connections. As Sri Lanka’s leading international bank for over 130 years, and as we look to our next 130 years, this is core to our purpose.”
The festival's core mission remains steadfast: to nurture creative talent, reverse the brain drain, and create meaningful opportunities for Sri Lankans in the arts sector. By positioning Sri Lanka as a vibrant cultural destination, the festival continues to attract international attention, building confidence at home while highlighting the nation's creative momentum overseas.
This year, the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival expands its multidisciplinary reach with larger, and more curated, programming across all pillars. The Art Festival held in association with the John Keells Foundation, the CSR entity of the John Keells Group for the second successive year, is based this year on the theme of ‘The Resilient Isle’ and showcases visual creativity in compelling new ways. Featuring work of over 15 well-known artists from Sri Lanka, this year’s exhibition is layered and multifaceted. Artworks from the festival explores Sri Lanka’s contemporary story through resilience and the capacity to endure, adapt, and transform amid social, political, and environmental challenges.
The festival will also feature an immersive photo exhibit with “Nicolas Bouvier in Ceylon: 70 Years Later”. The exhibit will consist of a curated photo exhibition showcasing Bouvier’s rare photographs from the Fonds Bouvier / Musée de l’Elysée Lausanne supported by the Embassy of Switzerland.
The Performing Arts pillar of the festival encompasses music, theatre and film, bringing together international and local talent. The year includes a dynamic Jazz concert by the renowned Quintetto Denner from Italy supported by the Embassy of Italy. A first of its kind, intensive 10-day theatre workshop by the Emma Rice Company supported by the British Council would also be available during the festival.
The Children's Festival at the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival features a more curated program designed to inspire young minds and build creative skills through play. With over 15 plus curated workshops across three days, the Children’s festival includes a themed workshop for all ages.
At the core of the festival's mission remains a commitment to nurturing youth. In line with this, the festival will be accessible to all students with free student passes. In addition, a focused volunteer program gives young participants hands-on festival experience. This year’s festival also includes a ‘not to be missed’ youth focused art workshop by a renowned senior Sri Lankan artist.
The Future Writers program, a cornerstone initiative that has received overwhelming support since its inception, returns to open doors for aspiring writers and foster creative entrepreneurship, offering tangible pathways for the next generation of Sri Lankan storytellers. Notably, the first edition winner Savin Edirisinghe was recently awarded the prestigious 32nd Gratiaen Prize, becoming one of the youngest recipients of this celebrated award, further demonstrating the festival's commitment to fostering the next generation.
The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival serves as more than a celebration of creativity, it is a testament to Sri Lanka's resilience, cultural richness, and dynamic spirit. Edition 3 of the festival is set to take place from February 13 to 15, 2026. The festival is supported by a host of distinguished partners. HSBC, as the title partner, exemplifies its commitment to cultural innovation and global artistic exchange. The venue and hospitality partner, Cinnamon Lakeside. Key partners include the Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust, John Keells Foundation and Synamon Global for their continued support. Knowledge partner British Council for their support with the festival, along with Goethe-Institut. The Embassy of Italy in Colombo and Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives for their support with cultural collaborations. The festival is supported by Sarasavi, Acorn Group and Teardrop Hotels along with merchandise partner Arienti. The festival also receives invaluable support from Wijeya Newspapers, Daily FT, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Hi!! Online, Hi! Magazine, Hi! and Hardtalk.
For more information or to book festival passes visit www.ceylonliteraryfestival.com.
-ENDS-
Photo Captions, Left to Right:
The Head Table: Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of CSR , John Keells Group, Dushyantha Tittawella, General Manager, Cinnamon Lakeside, Orlando Edwards, Country Director, British Council Sri Lanka, Kamal Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Ajai Vir Singh, Director and Co-Founder of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival, Mark Surgenor, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka, Her Excellency, Dr. Siri Walt, Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka & Maldives, Embassy of Switzerland, Indhu Selvaratnam, Trustee, The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust, Alberto Arcidiacono, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy
